MARYSVILLE – For the first time in 25 years, the lighting of the Marysville water tower was not the high point of the city’s annual Merrysville for the Holidays winter celebration Saturday.

The iconic structure in Comeford Park deemed too unsafe anymore for workers to string with lights stayed dark. In its place, the mayor led the countdown for a live Christmas tree lighting ceremony in the spray park area to officially usher in the holiday season in Marysville.

A tree was probably fitting this year, given that Sunnyside Nursery Owner Steve Smith was grand marshal for the evening’s Electric Lights Parade on State Avenue that ended at the park.

The thousands of event-goers found plenty of activities to light their spirits as downtown became a wintery wonderland of holiday fun, music and the dazzling light parade to boot, culminating in the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus atop a shiny Marysville Fire District hook and ladder truck.

The line outside for photos with Santa in the community center was standing room only, but live holiday music in the Rotary Pavilion next door, hot treats from the Kiwanis Club and several other food vendors, and yet more photo opps with The Grinch and various photo displays around the park kept visitors – um – less “grinchy.”

The decked-out Christmas tree itself became an impromptu backdrop for family and couples photos. It will remain there into the new year.

City spokeswoman Connie Mennie said the celebration went great.

“People were super-excited,” she said. “Talked to families new to Marysville and some who hadn’t been to the event before. They went in with no notions of what the event would or should be, and they were grateful there was this thing to do with their kids.”

The local Lions Club tended the holiday bonfire, adding more warmth at the celebration.